redshiftlogs | Let's partyyyyyyy! [open]

Entry tags:

Let's partyyyyyyy! [open]

Who: EVERYONE.
What: A meet-and-greet party for everybody in Anchor!
When: early October
Where: the VR room lobby
Warnings: none yet
Format: go wild!

[ The day before, a wild network post appears, from the username @aa : ]

hi everyone!
i just wanted to let you all know
the meet and greet party previously discussed in this space
will be held tomorrow afternoon!

it will take place in the vr room lobby
and of course everyone is invited
refreshments and games will be provided
but if you would like a little extra challenge
please feel free to bring something to share!

attendance is mandatory!
(lol just kidding)
seriously though i do hope to see all of you there ;)

[ She's also posted handwritten signs to that effect in the mess hall and several of the staircases. Just in case! ]

The day of, a party appears in the VR Room lobby area, as promised!

Though it's not brightly lit, the lights there are are brightly colored, creating a chilled-out evening atmosphere like you'd find at a club. Plush chairs and couches are interspersed throughout the room, and there's been a solid attempt to clean the place up, or at least do something about all the dust.

A shortage of conventional party supplies has forced Ami and Cho to get creative, so the tables and parts of the wall are decorated with paper flowers, and the buffet table is presided over by a number of ... weird, pink, glitter-covered, vaguely animal-shaped sculptures made out of spare plastic pipes and stuff. With googly eyes. If nothing else they're a conversation piece.

FOOD: The main offering is barbecue! There's a pretty wide assortment of meats, all of which Cho has certified safe for human consumption, and also certified delicious. Chips, dried fruit, and a few different desserts are available, including homemade chocolate chip cookies that Ami made herself (wich Cho's help). All the trays are helpfully labeled, including allergy information.

Any and all potluck submissions are welcome as well! Just set it down over here and make a little card of your own.

DRINKS: Sadly, the coffee machine is still out of order. But there is a cooler stocked with ice and a few different choices of juice and soda. Alcoholic selections are limited to two types of pre-mixed drinks, which are intentionally weak on the alcohol, but at least they're not tequila sunrises. If guests want anything stronger, they'll need to bring it themselves.

ENTERTAINMENT: In fiddling with the controls, Ami got the overhead speakers to play some music, but couldn't figure out how to modify the playlist, so it's just one song on loop. Maybe if she keeps the volume kind of low, no one will notice. No live music is scheduled, but if anyone wants to bring a guitar and jam for a while, they will be more than welcome to.

And most of the arcade games are online! Anyone for Fruit Ninja? Air hockey? Dance Dance Retribution? Virtual Billiards? Or perhaps you'd like to try out a full-simulation game in the VR Rooms proper? Now's as good a time as any!

Oh, and don't forget to enter the raffle! The winner will be chosen randomly and announced a few hours into the party.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ network replies go here! ]

Damn, Qubit committed to doing a raffle for this thing, didn't he? Fine, coming right up. One lucky winner will receive a small consumer electronic item of their choice. (Within reason.)

To enter, just fill out this form and put it in the box. (aka reply to this comment you know what I mean)

OOCly, entries close at 11:59 pm EST, Tues Oct 8.

Edited 2019-10-03 12:40 (UTC)

[Honestly, Peter almost hadn't come to this party thing. Not because he doesn't like parties or doesn't want to hang out with people, but because he's always busy and sort of paranoid about all the weird, horrible bullshit that's been happening lately. Kind of hard to focus on having fun when nothing is ever okay, y'know.

Someone (or maybe multiple someones) has been able to convince him to at least pop in for a little while, and naturally most of his attention is on the food because food is amazing and he's piled kind of a ton of it on his plate. Maybe he hasn't been eating enough lately, he's been pretty distracted. In an attempt to distract himself from being distracted by all the horrible distractions, he's making maybe not the best choices and knocking back some of those alcoholic bevs. His aunt's not here and neither are the COPS and you're not the boss of him etc.

And that's about as exciting as Peter's going to be for this thing. He's mostly sitting around with food and booze, finally making himself relax at least for a little while. Though there is a very good chance that he'll get so annoyed by this one goddamn song playing on loop that he'll drop what he's doing and try to fix the fucking music.]

[Given his solitary disposition and reclusive nature, it's unlikely anyone would be surprised to learn that parties just aren't Carlisle's thing; however, he is a man who has not eaten in literal years, and while he still can't eat -- or he probably can, he knows, but shouldn't -- the smells wafting into the corridors leading to the event were too much for him to simply ignore. The spicy aroma of the meats, the saccharine scent of fruit, the warmth rising from the cookies to stave off the chill of death from his bones -- they're all strong enough to cut through his dulled senses. For a brief moment, he is allowed to revel in the memory of what such delights tasted like, all the while trying to ignore the fact that he will never again enjoy such delicacies the way the living do.

For the most part, he can be found lingering along the walls of the room, his arms crossed, his eyes closed in concentration. When not there, he may be near the tables, nervously attempting to put back together one of the paper flowers he managed to completely and utterly tear to pieces when unfolding it to figure out just how they were constructed. Lastly, one might catch him just beyond the doors to the VR lobby in the hallway, trying to literally talk himself into going back in, giving polite, but guilt-laden glances toward anyone who so much as looks his way.]

[Finally spotting someone he knows, Carlisle manages to work up the gumption to meander over for a word before Peter spots him. Better that than for the lad to see him lingering along a wall again, much like their first meeting, and think that maybe he has either a penchant for walls, or fears of open spaces and social events. It's both, in truth.

He has his drink clasped in both hands as he heads in Peter's direction, trying to look as though he's capable of enjoying it. As for Peter himself, the kid looks as though he's maybe had a few too many drinks for one man, but as someone who used to get drunk to avoid dealing with the weight of his own paranoia, Carlisle isn't in a position to judge. He gives a slight bow in greeting.]

Peter. How is the food?

[That's not a polite question to start a conversation. He really wants to know.]

[Kieran promised Ami that he'd arrive to the party early, and that's exactly what he did. If your character is one of the first to arrive, they'll probably catch the local cowboy carrying some trays of snacks and food around, or wiping down tables before settling anything onto them.]

[Otherwise, Kieran will mingle around and try to join in on some fun conversation in that delightfully awkward way that anyone who's known him for any amount of time will probably expect. He'll perpetually have a glass of something in his hand. Get him drunk enough and maybe he'll start singing some cowboy songs for everyone. Get him even more drunk, and he'll probably try to get people to join in, even if they don't know the lyrics.]

[If your character won't approach him on their own, then Kieran will probably approach them at one point or another with a big grin and wide, open body posture.]

Hey, buddy!

[He'll greet them the same way, regardless of whether or not he's met them before.]

A
Cho is at the party early, bringing in trays of hot food and the containers of the mixed drinks to set things up. She also has a tote bag full of additional origami decorations, some folded the night before during her bout of insomnia, and some temporarily removed from their spots around her room, where they've been serving as permanent decoration to make the place seem a little less alien. Once she gets the food set up, she moves around the space with her bag, a stepladder, and a roll of tape. An extra helper, or even just someone to hand her tape strips and steady the stepladder, would be very welcome. As would the conversation. Mostly, though, it's the steadying hand on the ladder. In hindsight, she probably should have brought some flats to wear for this part of the day, but she just hates giving up the extra few inches of height that the heels give her, and she doesn't have any flats that match her dress.

B
Once the festivities have actually gotten underway, Cho takes the time to get herself some food and enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling that she gets from seeing people enjoy the taste of something she's made. Ami had a really great idea with this party, and Cho didn't realize how much she needed the distraction. People seem to be enjoying themselves, and after everything that's gone on in the last few months, it's very much needed. She tries to keep her eye on the food and drinks, scanning for when something seems to be running low. She's made extra of everything. All of the meats will keep well, and can be re-purposed over the week in other meals.

Whenever something looks like it's about to run out, she takes a little wheeled cart, and makes her way back to the mess hall kitchen to get the back-up. Which means she spends a fair bit of time scurrying between the two locations, pushing food through the city and resisting the urge to push the cart fast enough to ride on.

She is only marginally successful in that regard. Especially when it's empty. Nothing wrong with having a little fun, right?

C
It takes Cho a while to notice the music. The volume is low, and the chatter of conversation is high, and she's not really sure it isn't intentional. Somehow. She doesn't like house music all that much, and so it takes her a while to focus on it enough to confirm that, yes, it is the exact same song playing over and over and over again. Which, all right, even if it is intentional, surely Ami wouldn't get super mad at her for wanting just a little break.

Which leaves Cho crouched by the sound system with her ipod, trying to make sense of the thing. The speakers are working. All she wants is to have them play from a different source. That's got to be possible. Right? Maybe.

D
All in all, aside from a few hiccups, the party seems to be pretty self sustaining. People make their own entertainment, and Cho joins them. She eats a little bit of everything, and nurses a single drink for most of the evening. After a while, bolstered by the presence of other people, which must surely lessen the chances of getting stuck in them, she even tries a few of the games. For the most part, though, she just circulates around the edges of the crowd, watching people enjoying themselves. This is nice, for her. It feels almost normal. Throwing parties, being social, forming community. It's nice and normal and extremely comforting.

[[OOC: I don't like writing in brackets, so I'm a prose only person. I don't mind if styles don't match, though, if you only write brackets.]]

[Oh he has for sure had a few too many drinks. This is probably the first time since... probably before his time in Hadriel that he's felt even close to completely relaxed. Honestly he looks like he could just stretch out on this couch he's sitting on and take a nap. In the middle of a party? You bet your ass. But he won't because now it's time for chatting.]

Dude, this is like, the best barbecue I think I've had in like, a year. Like a whole year. How's it goin', man?

[He scoots over to make room for Carlisle in case he wants to grab a seat.]

[Peter scoots over, and Carlisle, after a moment's hesitation, does take the offered seat, casting his eyes upon the rest of the party-goers as he takes a deep breath, as though trying to taste the barbecue from smell alone. His drink sweats against his gloves as he turns the glass in his fingers, using it more as a distraction for his nervous habits than an actual drink.]

It goes, I suppose. I am adjusting, thanks to your encouragement. I did mean to contact you and apologize for being... out of sorts when we met. It had been a long day.

[Longer when one doesn't sleep.]

[Peter isn't intentionally avoiding anyone, but he is keeping to himself more than anybody who knows him would probably expect. Fretting over weirdos spying on them has him exhausted, and the booze isn't helping in the alertness department. Which was the plan, to be fair, but at least he still manages to look excited when Kieran approaches him.]

Hey, man! How's it goin'? This music isn't too weird for you, is it?

Patch doesn't really feel much like going to a party, which is a huge part of the reason she forces herself to go. She's sad, missing Diego, missing home, missing everything. Normally, she'd love the idea of a mixer, of creating a sense of connection within the group. She knows this, logically, and she hates that her first impulse this time is to skip it.

So she makes up her mind to go and meet people. Which turns out to be a little harder than a person might think. Conversation. She's out of practice. Has she spoken to anyone these last few weeks? She makes herself a plate, because it's what you do. When someone who has clearly been through the buffet already comes up next to her, she pastes a smile she doesn't feel on her face and nods at the trays. "What's the best thing you've tried so far?"

After the food, she helps herself to a drink, which is far too sweet and not nearly alcoholic enough. She can do this. She sits herself down near the edge of the activity and watches people, nibbles on snacks, sips her drink, and wonders when she's going to start feeling like herself again. Fake it til you make it, right?

[Oh good, because Kieran's going to throw an arm around Peter's shoulders. PLEASE, TEENAGER, LET YOURSELF BE A TEENAGER.]

Naw, this is great! I'm really happy to see everyone together, havin' a good time!

[Look at him, grinning like a doofus.]

It's like a big ol' growing family!

[ It's a good thing you did show up, Peter, Ami would have kicked your ass if you didn't! Although... she does notice that cocktail in his hand! You know, the cocktails she only reluctantly let Cho provide, because originally she wasn't going to have alcohol at this party at all!! So kicking his ass is not entirely off the table, that's all I'm sayin'.

Okay, benefit of the doubt. Peter's a good dude and a good friend. Maybe he just didn't realize there was alcohol in it. Yeah, that's probably it.

She comes over and waves to catch his eye. ]

Hi, Peter! Happy birthday!

[ Given that this is intended as a meet-and-greet, Ami's keeping an eye out for people she hasn't been properly introduced to. Not only that, but he's wallflowering it up something fierce. And as the host of this party, it's her sacred duty to at least try and make sure everyone has a good time!

His eyes are closed as she approaches, though, and she's carrying a plate of barbecue. Weird how that one smell's getting stronger all of a sudden, huh? ]

Hi! Everything okay over here?

[Carlisle probably shouldn't keep his eyes closed like that, because that's just asking to be spooked should someone actually approach him. He does notice the smell of the barbecue getting stronger, but he's not quick enough to pinpoint where it is in relation to him until he's already being addressed. He doesn't jump out of his skin, but he certainly does jerk, his frame stiffening as he looks around for the source of the voice. Left, right, then down. Then down some more.]

Oh, um. Yes. Yes, it's fine. I'm fine, I mean. Do- do you need something?

[ Whoops! She wasn't trying to startle him. Also, quit being so tall, you tall bastards. Ami shakes her head quickly. ]

No, no, you're good! I just saw you standing here all by yourself and I thought I should say hello. So, hello! [ She offers him a friendly handshake. ] I'm Ami! What's your name?

[He looks at her hand as though it'd bite him, flexing his stiff fingers as he considers whether or not to shake it. On the one hand, it's the polite thing to do; on the other, he doesn't have much going for him flesh-wise beneath his gloves, and he's afraid people will be able to tell that the second they give his hand a grip.

He continues mulling over that as his glowing eyes flick back to her.]

Carlisle. I was just... enjoying. The party. [The smells of it.]

Oh, buddy, don't even worry about it. Everyone's pretty out of it when they first get here, especially if we had something crazy going on like right before it. It's like really jarring, I totally get it.

[He's known for rambling, but he's maybe going just a bit harder with it right now. It's 100% the booze, don't mind him.]

I'm glad I could help, though! Like I wish I could have helped more, but-- I mean, I guess there's only so much we can do, y'know?

[Also he has four other empty cocktail glasses on the table next to him THAT'S A THING.

He waves back but immediately looks confused like what even]

Dude, I don't even know when my birthday is anymore. I'm not even sure what year it is. Nice party, though. Real chill.

[Finding out that you've been dead and are likely responsible for the ruin of your entire hometown and more does qualify as 'something crazy going on like right before his arrival,' yes.]

You did more than you know. Being able to use the communicator allowed me to get in touch with others, and that has been a welcome distraction.

[Peter might just stumble into Kieran a little when he throws an arm around him. His balance is a bit compromised at the moment, don't mind him.]

Yeah. Yeah, kinda. I think this is the most chill I've seen everyone since I got here. Y'know, when we first started showin' up, the robots tried to throw a party for us. I guess it was kinda successful? Mostly I just stole a bunch of fruit.

[Is it crazy that Peter can kind of relate?? Aside from the undead zombie part anyway.]

Oh good, dude. I'm glad. There are a lot of pretty cool people around here, who have you gotten in touch with so far?

[ Yeeeeah oh boy. Cho promised she'd make the alcohol pretty weak, but... that's too many cocktail glasses. ]

Oh, my bad. I just assumed it was your 21st birthday! You know, on account of all these.

[ She picks up one of the empty glasses and closes one eye to peer into it. Yup that sure is empty! Wow! How could that have happened? ]

[ooooooh OOOOH she's being a smartass, now he gets it. Peter 100% approves, even if he is on the receiving end of this smartassery.

He looks her dead in the eye while slugging back the rest of his current glass NOW WHAT.]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[ Ami drops her shoulders and her grin. Seriously? Is this what we're doing now? ]

Peter!!

[ Yeah, he's definitely known it was booze the whole time. Without warning, she lunges, trying to grab the glass out of his hand. It would appear she's momentarily forgotten he is 1) way stronger than her, and 2) a very sticky boy. ]

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Let's partyyyyyyy! [open]

Network replies

Raffle entries

Peter Parker | OTA

Carlisle Longinmouth [open]

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Kieran Duffy | OPEN

Cho Takahashi | OTA

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Eudora Patch | ota

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